Ann M. Martin

Book excerpt: When Ann M. Martin was asked to write the first four Baby-sitters Club books in 1985, she had no way of knowing she was about to change the face of children s publishing. Martin s writing is influenced by a combination of her pretty wonderful childhood, her experience as a teacher, and her work in children s publishing. Now, 20 years after the first Baby-sitters Club book was written, with more than 300 books and a Newbery Honor book to her credit, Martin continues to write novels that not only find a place on best-sellers lists, but also in the hearts of readers. It is clear that she is one of the most widely read and beloved children s authors of all time. In a one-volume reference, Ann M. Martin details the life and real-life influences of this famous author, revealing the person behind the words, and the author behind the literature.